Page:History of Adam Bell, Clim of the Clough, and William of Cloudeslie (1).pdf/13

 ( 13 ) On each side he did smite them down,

He thought he tarry’d long.

William said to his brethren two,

This day let’s live or die:

If e’er you need as I do now,

The fame you’ll find by me.

They shot so very well that tide,

Their springs were of silk sure,

They kept the streets on every side,

The battle did long endure.

They fought together like brethren true,

Like hardy men and bold;

Many men to the ground they threw,

Made many a heart cold,

And when their arrows were all gone,

Men press’d on them full fast;

They drew their swords now then anon,

And their blows from them cast.

As they went light in their way,

With swords and bucklers round,

By that it was mid of the day,

They made many a wound.

Many an out horn in Carlisle blown,

The bells backward did ring,

Many a woman said alas!

And many hands did wring,

The Mayor of Carlisle forth come was,

And with him a great rout;

These yeomen dreaded him full fore,

Their lives were then in doubt.